Shaving with the grain refers to shaving in the direction of hair growth. So when shaving your cheeks, you shave from top to bottom in one direction only. When shaving your neck, you shave top down only. Same with shaving above your lip and above your chin.
Shaving against the grain therefore refers to shaving against the direction of hair growth. Typically, this is done on the neck and throat area. If you shave your head, it can be done on the back of the head from the neck up towards the scalp, too.
Keep reading and you’ll find the pros and cons of shaving with grain. While more experienced shavers may shave against the grain, beginners are better off shaving with the grain to avoid the problems discussed below.
Shaving With The Grain Benefits
- Less skin irritation. Modern razors are designed to be used while shaving with the grain.
- Fewer cuts. While you can still cut yourself shaving with the grain, it tends to be less than shaving against the grain in the opposite direction of hair growth.
- Most body parts you shave only require shaving with the grain. You already get a close shave on your cheeks and most of your neck by shaving with the grain.
- Reduces the chance of razor bumps ie. ingrown hairs. Shaving against the grain – particularly on the neck – tugs on hairs and can irritate the hair follicles leading to irritation and ingrown hairs. This is especially true if you are using 2+ blade razors.
Shaving With The Grain Drawbacks
- Shaving with the grain doesn’t offer as close a shave on areas like the neck, throat and back of the head. I can personally attest to getting a much closer shave when shaving against the grain on each of these areas.
- Missing out on cutting hairs while shaving with the grain tends to result in men overcompensating by shaving the same area repeatedly. This can lead to skin irritation and cuts.
- Similarly you may press harder with your razor until you get the last remaining hairs. This may lead to razor burn and possibly ingrown hairs.
Shaving Across The Grain
There is another option to shaving with or against the grain. Shaving across the grain.
In the case of your neck, you normally shave from top to bottom. Shaving across the grain involves shaves horizontally. So you start with the razor held at a 90 degree angle (see picture above) so that one end of the razor blade is pointing up and one is pointing down. You would then shave your neck horizontally from front to back or from back to front.
Very carefully.
If you decide to try this option, see if it works and helps you shave closer than simply shaving with the grain. Do a test area and see if it irritates your skin. If not, it might be something you can add to your shaving routine.
Conclusion
- What is shaving with the grain? Shaving with the grain refers to shaving in the direction of hair growth. So shaving your cheeks from top to bottom in one direction only. Shaving your neck from top to bottom in one direction only.
- Most body parts needed to be shaved can successfully and effectively be shaved this way.
- Shaving against the grain often irritates the skin, can increase ingrown hairs and can lead to more cuts.
- One benefit of shaving against the grain however is that it offers a closer shave on some body parts such as the throat and back of the head.
- Shaving across the grain involves holding the razor at a 90 degree angle and shaving across the hairs. It’s a compromise between shaving with and against the grain.
Do you shave with and/or against the grain? Tell us in the comments below.